FAITH MATTERS: Withholding charity is a major sin

OUR hunger for power through unrelenting war has left not only our children hungry, but our country wallowing in a state of spiritual hunger.

One of every four children in the U.S., approximately 17 million, goes to bed hungry. Children are the most vulnerable, yet the least considered when it comes to food, clothing and shelter.

Newt Gingrich has called President Barack Obama the "food stamp president." High unemployment has made it necessary for more people to seek this assistance.

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Mitt Romney stated he is not concerned about the very poor, because of a safety net that will come to their aid. But if the safety net has significant holes that fail the very poor, we have to look at economic policy to understand why.

When we view one another on equal footing, we acknowledge our common bond as members of the human family and help each other to live with dignity. It is so easy to forget that the shoe of poverty could be on the other foot.

Yet, Gingrich and Romney have a condescending attitude toward the poor. The poor are looked down upon, as if their needs are of little significance, while the rich take their wealth and hoard it.

An Islamic tradition, as narrated Abu Huraira, states: A man came to the prophet and asked, "O Allah's apostle! Which charity is the most superior in reward?" The reply: "The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death, and then say, 'Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.'"

This directive emphasizes that withholding charity is a major sin. To wait to dole it out until on one's deathbed is delaying what should have been done during one's lifetime.

Muslims are obligated to annually give 2.5 percent of their excess wealth to charity. This money goes to the poor. If every millionaire gave at this rate, we would end world hunger for good.

How can people of faith help one another? We must check on our neighbors and make sure they have at least one meal a day. Contact women's shelters and ask what can be done to improve their programs. Sacrifice by eating less for at least one day and giving someone in need your meal. End waste by buying only what is needed, and not what is desired.

These are only a few ideas, but if everyone embraced these steps, we could give our children a fighting chance to grow up and make this country better. Then, we will have demonstrated how faith really matters.

Jamilah Rasheed of New Haven is a member of Masjid Al-Islam. Write to her in care of the Register, 40 Sargent Drive, New Haven 06511. Email: in4truth@comcast.net.